❓ Hon Martin Aldridge questions the Minister for Emergency Services on the delay in extending PTSD presumption to firefighters, similar to that provided to ambulance workers. The Minister responds, citing ongoing legislative changes and differing claim success rates.
AnsweredQoN 84Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS
DISORDER PRESUMPTION — FIREFIGHTERS
84. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Minister for Emergency
Services:
I note that it has now been more
than 380 days since the government provided a rebuttable presumption of work-related
post-traumatic stress disorder for ambulance workers claiming workers'
compensation.
(1) Why has the government not
extended similar protections to firefighters?
(2) Is it correct
that in 2017 the Department of Fire and Emergency Services proposed amendments
to regulations to provide such protections to firefighters?
(3) Do ambulance
workers have a different PTSD risk from firefighters?
(4) If a firefighter
develops PTSD post-retirement, how does the government support and compensate
them in recognition of their service?
DISORDER PRESUMPTION — FIREFIGHTERS
84. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Minister for Emergency
Services:
I note that it has now been more
than 380 days since the government provided a rebuttable presumption of work-related
post-traumatic stress disorder for ambulance workers claiming workers'
compensation.
(1) Why has the government not
extended similar protections to firefighters?
(2) Is it correct
that in 2017 the Department of Fire and Emergency Services proposed amendments
to regulations to provide such protections to firefighters?
(3) Do ambulance
workers have a different PTSD risk from firefighters?
(4) If a firefighter
develops PTSD post-retirement, how does the government support and compensate
them in recognition of their service?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) We are proud
that the McGowan Labor government delivered on its election commitment to
introduce a PTSD presumption for ambulance workers. Although the government is
open to extending the PTSD presumption to firefighters, it is introducing a bill
to modernise WA's workers' compensation laws and that bill includes a provision to list all
presumptive diseases in regulations. The appropriate time to consider whether the PTSD presumption ought to be extended is when regulations are being
developed to support the bill.
(2) Yes.
(3) Firefighters
and ambulance workers are exposed to similar traumatic events and may develop
PTSD as a result. Firefighters are not encountering the same problems in making
successful workers' compensation claims for PTSD. I am advised that over the period 2017–18 to 2021–22,
84 per cent of claims made by firefighters were accepted.
(4) Firefighters
continue to have the ability to submit a claim for workers'
compensation should they be diagnosed with a medical condition that has been
caused or aggravated by their employment with DFES.
some notice of the question.
(1) We are proud
that the McGowan Labor government delivered on its election commitment to
introduce a PTSD presumption for ambulance workers. Although the government is
open to extending the PTSD presumption to firefighters, it is introducing a bill
to modernise WA's workers' compensation laws and that bill includes a provision to list all
presumptive diseases in regulations. The appropriate time to consider whether the PTSD presumption ought to be extended is when regulations are being
developed to support the bill.
(2) Yes.
(3) Firefighters
and ambulance workers are exposed to similar traumatic events and may develop
PTSD as a result. Firefighters are not encountering the same problems in making
successful workers' compensation claims for PTSD. I am advised that over the period 2017–18 to 2021–22,
84 per cent of claims made by firefighters were accepted.
(4) Firefighters
continue to have the ability to submit a claim for workers'
compensation should they be diagnosed with a medical condition that has been
caused or aggravated by their employment with DFES.
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